Healing Beyond Symptoms:

WHOLE HEALTH RHEUMATOLOGY

Expert Care for Autoimmune & Connective Tissue Conditions

OLGA PINKSTON, MD

Expert Rheumatology,

Reimagined for Whole Health

Healing happens when expertise meets compassion, and when your whole health—not just your symptoms—becomes the focus.

New patients welcome - no referral required. 

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Conditions We Treat 

Comprehensive Evaluation & Treatment of Complex Autoimmune, Rheumatologic & Connective Tissue Conditions

Arthritis, Rheumatologic & Autoimmune Conditions

Evaluations and treatment for many rheumatologic and autoimmune conditions affecting bones, muscles, joints, and skin, such as: 

Rheumatoid Arthritis · Osteoarthritis · Gout · Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ·  Ankylosing Spondylitis · Psoriatic Arthritis · Vasculitis · Sjögren’s · Scleroderma · Polymyalgia Rheumatica · Giant Cell Arteritis · Myositis (Polymyositis, Dermatomyositis) · Mixed Connective Tissue Disease · Behçet's Disease · other types of arthritis

Treatment combines conventional medical approaches (i.e. anti-rheumatic and biological medications, referrals, joint injections) with integrative strategies personalized to your specific condition & needs.

Should I be Screened for an Autoimmune Disorder?

EDS & Hypermobility Spectrum disorders, Mast cell diseases & POTS.

Comprehensive evaluation of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Hypermobility Spectrum disorders,  including genetic testing when appropriate. Treatment of Hypermobile EDS (hEDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum disorders. Assessment and treatment of frequently associated conditions such as Mast Cell Diseases (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)) and Orthostatic Intolerance & POTS. 

Personalized treatment combines medical approaches, including when needed prescriptive medications with evidence-based integrative strategies tailored to your specific condition. 

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Fibromyalgia, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ME/CFS, CRPS & Long Covid

Bringing together Mayo Clinic training with specialized skills in Pain Reprocessing Therapy, trauma-informed care, lifestyle and integrative medicine, obesity, hormone replacement therapy, and cognitive behavioral approaches, that provide comprehensive, evidence-based care for fibromyalgia, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, and Long Covid.

Treatment blends conventional medical therapies with integrative strategies to address pain, fatigue, nervous system function, hormone and metabolic health through truly personalized care.

The Musculoskeletal Syndrome 

of Menopause 

 Understanding Your Body's Changes & How We Can Help 

70% women experience musculoskeletal symptoms during menopause

25% will be significantly disabled by them

Most don't realize these symptoms are connected to hormonal changes

 

Common Symptoms:

  • Joint pain or stiffness - especially hands, knees, shoulders
  • Morning stiffness that improves with movement
  • Frozen shoulder or difficulty raising arms
  • Loss of muscle mass and strength despite staying active
  • Poor balance or fear of falling
  • Decreased bone density increasing fracture risk
  • Generalized muscle aches without clear cause
  • Loss of stamina and endurance

Why This Happens:

The decline in estrogen during menopause profoundly impacts your musculoskeletal system.

When estrogen levels drop:

  • Inflammation increases causing joint pain
  • Bone density drops 10% during perimenopause
  • Muscle mass declines 0.6% per year
  • Cartilage becomes fragile accelerating arthritis
  • Muscle repair and growth become more difficult

OUR APPROACH COMBINES: HORMONES + LIFESTYLE

✓Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
FDA-approved hormones to address the root cause by slowing estrogen loss, preserving bone density, maintaining muscle mass, and reducing inflammation

✓Targeted Nutritional Optimization
Personalized nutrition plan and supplementation for bone & muscle health, and weight optimization (including brand GLP-1 medications if needed)

✓Resistance Training Protocols
Evidence-based exercise programs to build muscle mass, increase bone density, improve balance, and reduce fall risk

✓Mind-Body & Lifestyle Medicine
Stress reduction, sleep optimization, trauma-informed care, anti-inflammatory diet, movement integration, and strategies that address the whole person

✓Comprehensive Rheumatologic Evaluation
Accurate diagnosis to distinguish menopausal changes from other conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, fibromyalgia), early detection of bone loss, and personalized risk assessment

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Serving the Greater Louisville Region

Our Louisville, Kentucky office welcomes patients from Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and Ohio for in-person appointments.

Kentucky residents can use telehealth for follow-up visits.

We're working toward licensure in IN, OH, and TN for expanded telehealth access.

Easy Parking
Free onsite parking—no hassle, no hunting for spots. Handicap parking available. 

Lab Services Onsite
Get your lab work done right here during your visit for convenience and faster turnaround.

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Olga Pinkston, MD, FACR, DipABLM

Board-certified Rheumatologist

  • University of Louisville Medical School
  • University of Louisville Internal Medicine Residency Program
  • Mayo Clinic Rheumatology Fellowship Program - Jacksonville, FL
  • Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology
  • Board Certified in Lifestyle Medicine (The American Board of Lifestyle Medicine (ABLM))
  • Integrative Medicine Fellowship, Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, Class of 2025 - recipient of the prestigious Lovell-Jones Rheumatology Scholarship (awarded to one physician per year)
  • Host of the "Mind Your Fibro" podcast, the top-rated podcast on fibromyalgia
  • Certified in Pain Reprocessing Therapy (completed 2 trainings: one by Alan Gordon, LCSW and 2nd by Howard Schubiner, MD)
  • IFS (Internal Family Systems) informed practitioner
  • Additional training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - for depression, anxiety and chronic pain
  • Certified Life Coach and Trauma Coach

Why Choose Whole Health Rheumatology?

What happens when a rheumatologist actually has time to connect the dots.

Direct Specialty Care Practice Model:

Consciously Independent - Built for Clinical Freedom

At Whole Health Rheumatology, care is designed around what you need—not what insurance dictates. We are not concierge practice—just comprehensive rheumatology with the time and attention complex conditions require.

By design, we are a smaller practice. A smaller patient panel means more access to your doctor. We're able to see patients same-day or next-day for urgent flare treatments, offer direct access between visits, and provide consultations that last as long as necessary—not as long as a billing code allows. Your care evolves as your health journey does. 

About insurance: We are out of network with all insurance plans. You can still use insurance for labs, imaging, medications, and referrals—we handle the orders & required authorizations. Insurance already controls plenty: which tests they'll cover, which medications are on formulary, what requires prior approval. What they can't control is my time with you and the full range of treatments I can offer.

This independence allows thorough evaluations, integrative and lifestyle medicine approaches, addressing what's driving your inflammation, and comprehensive treatment plans—not just prescriptions from an approved list before  rushing to the next patient.

Why not participate with insurance? The administrative burden—billing staff, paperwork, authorization battles—forces practices to pack schedules just to cover overhead. The result is rushed visits and cookie-cutter care driven by reimbursement, not your needs.

Here, you get rheumatology care that's truly personalized, genuinely unhurried, and uncompromised.

Patient-Focused Visits

By intentionally limiting our practice size, we create time for what matters: extended time with your physician to address your whole health picture, time to incorporate integrative and lifestyle medicine, and personalized care that evolves with you—ensuring you leave with clarity, not more questions.

Clinical Expertise

Drawing on Mayo Clinic training, board certifications in Rheumatology, Internal Medicine, and Lifestyle Medicine, plus Integrative fellowship training, Dr. Pinkston offers expert-level precision and evidence-based care—with the direct care independence to make decisions based solely on what's best for you.

True Partnership

This is collaborative medicine: I bring the clinical expertise to guide your care, but I explain my evaluation and findings, we discuss your options openly, and we build a treatment plan together—one that makes sense and feels right. Because the best outcomes happen when you truly understand your condition and are invested in your healing.

Insurance-free Care

Freed from copays and insurance constraints, we devote our full attention to accurate diagnosis, evidence-based interventions, and treatments aimed at achieving durable remission. 

Use insurance for labs, imaging & medications—not to control your doctor's medical decisions. Transparent prices without surprise bills. 

2025 Services & Pricing

Simple, Transparent Pricing— Your Health is Worth the Investment

Expert Diagnostic Rheumatology Evaluation

$699

New patient evaluation

  • in-depth medical records review
  • 60-90 min visit with Dr. Pinkston
  • additional tests as need for diagnosis/treatment - use your insurance or self-pay options
  • detailed action plan after the visit
  • integrative & lifestyle medicine recommendations 
  • HSA/ FSA Eligible Medical services 

Additional Services: 

- Complex case review: Internal medicine consults, rheumatology second opinions, and integrative or lifestyle medicine evaluations. Limited availability based on case complexity and fit. Contact our office for details. Sometimes having dedicated time with a physician who listens to your whole story makes all the difference.

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Direct Specialty Care Membership

$99

per month

  • no co-pays
  • same/next day urgent visits
  • 30-45 min follow-up visits
  • televisits (KY only)
  • medication management/prior authorization assistance for medications we prescribe
  • discounted services such as counseling, labs, joint injections 
  • Integrative & lifestyle medicine recommendations 
  • discounted supplements (25% Fullscript.com)
  • available online courses (pending) 

 ** Ideal for patients requiring ongoing care (3+ visits annually).

** 3-month minimum commitment.

** Patients may cancel membership with a 30-day written notice. Re-enrollment conditions will apply. 

 

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Fee-Per Visit Services for Established patients

$300

30-45 minute

  • Follow-up & urgent visits: $300 - for established rheumatology patients seen 1-2 times per year and who are not part of the membership 
  • based on availability & individual need determined by Dr. Pinkston

Additional Services:

  • 1 : 1 Counseling $300/hour ($200 for patients enrolled in membership) - limited availability
  • Obesity Treatment with GLP-1 medications (such as Ozempic, Zepbound) 
  • Menopause Hormone Replacement (with FDA-approved evidence-based bioidentical hormones - pharmacy Rx - no pellets). 
  • Advanced Lipid and Metabolic health optimization. 
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Integrative Rheumatology: Beyond Medications

A Whole Health Approach to Your Care

Autoimmune, inflammatory, and connective tissue conditions require more than prescriptions for lasting improvement.

What drives inflammation:

  • Chronic stress
  • Poor sleep quality
  • Gut dysfunction
  • Nutritional deficiencies & obesity 
  • Hormonal imbalances (Yes, we do help you balance your hormones if needed!) 

Integrative rheumatology combines both:

  • Traditional medications & evidence-based treatments
  • Lifestyle factors that fuel disease activity

The result? Patients who optimize sleep, nutrition, stress management, and gut health alongside medical treatment often achieve better disease control—and in some cases, remission.

Remission isn't guaranteed, but treating multiple drivers of inflammation gives your body the best chance for healing. 

We're committed to more than managing disease—our focus is helping you reach sustained remission if possible, minimize future flares, restore your quality of life, and partner with you throughout your health journey.

Pasha

emotional support & therapy-in-training dog 

Pasha is a diminutive of Pavel, a Russian form of Paul.  (The name sounds feminine but he is a boy!!)

The name means 'little, humble' in Russian. 

He is four years old and about 30 pounds of pure love and affection. 

Pasha is an Australian Labradoodle (a very hypoallergenic cross between the Poodle, Cocker Spaniel and Labrador Retriever), which is a very friendly, social breed that loves everyone.

He is sensitive and very in tune with his humans, whom he loves to be with! He does not do well if left alone for extended periods of time, so sometimes he comes to work with me. 

Fun fact:  Pasha is bilingual and understands both Russian & English. He listens to my daughter better than me, no matter what language!

Please let our staff know if you would prefer not to see, or be aware of his presence in the office.

WHOLE HEALTH RHEUMATOLOGY = INTEGRATIVE RHEUMATOLOGY

Comprehensive evaluation & treatment of arthritis, autoimmune & rheumatologic conditions

Mayo Clinic trained & board-certified rheumatologist, Dr. Olga Pinkston diagnoses and treats autoimmune & inflammatory diseases affecting bones, muscles, joints, and skin, such as:

Rheumatoid Arthritis · Osteoarthritis · Gout · Systemic Lupus Erythematosus · Fibromyalgia · Ankylosing Spondylitis · Psoriatic Arthritis · Vasculitis · Sjögren’s · Scleroderma · Polymyalgia Rheumatica · Giant Cell Arteritis · Myositis (Polymyositis, Dermatomyositis) · Mixed Connective Tissue Disease · Behçet's Disease · other types of arthritis, as well Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), POTS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), Long COVID, CRPS, and IBS..

Dr. Pinkston also evaluates non-specific complaints, such as fatigue and joint pain, without a definitive diagnosis, with or without abnormal labs (+ANA, inflammatory markers, etc.), often not accepted by other rheumatology practices.

She also evaluates joint pain and musculoskeletal complaints associated with perimenopause & menopause, including standard hormone testing (if needed) and offers menopause hormone replacement therapy to patients. 

Fellowship training at the Mayo Clinic, FL, equipped Dr. Pinkston to evaluate patients thoroughly, review prior records and workup, and provide, if possible, a diagnosis or guidance on what to do next.

SHOULD I BE SCREENED FOR AN AUTOIMMUNE DISORDER?

The screening for rheumatologic and autoimmune disorders should be considered for several groups of people. If you have some of the symptoms, abnormal labs or risk factors, consider screening. Because Whole Health Rheumatology is a new practice and is not yet at capacity, no referral is required. 

  • SYMPTOMS - symptoms can be episodic (come and go) or gradually develop over months or years.
    • Persistent joint pain, swelling, or stiffness, especially in the morning.
    • Unexplained fatigue: autoimmune inflammation is notorious for causing exhaustion. 
    • Skin rashes (particularly on the face, sun exposed areas, psoriasis, nail changes, between buttocks or in your underarm/axilla, skin tightness). Some rashes may be particularly concerning if there is muscle weakness in the upper arms/upper legs, or rashes coinciding with shortness of breath.
    • Muscle weakness or pain
    • Pain all over – may feel like there is pain in the joints, muscles, “even my hair hurts”
    • Recurring fevers
    • Hair loss
    • Raynaud's phenomenon (fingers/toes turning white/blue in cold)
    • Brain fog
    • Hair loss (especially patchy, bold spots)
  • PEOPLE WITH UNEXPLAINED SYMPTOMS OR SYMPTOMS AFFECTING MULTIPLE ORGAN SYSTEMS:
    • Persistent inflammation
    • Unexplained kidney problems
    • Lung issues
    • Heart complications
    • Neurological symptoms
    • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
    • Rashes (hives, urticaria, flushing)
    • Dry mouth, burning tongue
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Understanding Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A Rheumatologist's Perspective

Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) are among the most overlooked connective tissue disorders in modern medicine.

As a rheumatologist, I regularly meet patients who have spent years—sometimes decades—searching for answers to a puzzling array of symptoms. My goal is to help you understand these conditions and recognize when to seek specialized care.

What Are hEDS and HSD?

Think of connective tissue as your body's scaffolding—it's everywhere, providing structure and support to joints, organs, blood vessels, and skin. In hEDS and HSD, genetic variations affect how this tissue behaves, making it more elastic and less stable than it should be.

Both conditions feature generalized joint hypermobility—joints that bend and stretch far beyond the normal range. The key difference is that hEDS meets stricter diagnostic criteria, while HSD describes patients with significant hypermobility symptoms who fall just short of the full hEDS diagnosis.

Here's what many physicians don't realize: HSD and hEDS often require the same management approach. The label matters less than recognizing and treating the symptoms.

Why These Conditions Hide in Plain Sight

hEDS and HSD are masters of disguise:

  • No single telltale symptom exists. Symptoms overlap with dozens of other diagnoses, making pattern recognition difficult.

  • Symptoms fluctuate unpredictably. You might feel terrible one day and relatively normal the next.

  • Severity changes over time. Mild childhood "clumsiness" can evolve into debilitating symptoms during puberty or young adulthood.

This combination often leads to patients being dismissed as anxious, deconditioned, or told they're imagining their symptoms.

The Cost of Delayed Diagnosis

Professor Rodney Grahame, a leading expert on hypermobility disorders, estimates that approximately 95% of cases presenting to clinics are missed. When patients do get diagnosed, they've typically been searching for answers for 14 to 28 years.

The gender disparity is striking: women wait an average of 16 years for diagnosis, while men wait only 4 years—reflecting broader gender bias in healthcare.

What This Delay Costs

Those aren't just statistics. They represent:

  • Years of uncontrolled pain 

  • Inappropriate psychiatric treatments for physiological problems

  • Preventable joint damage from misguided exercise recommendations

  • Psychological trauma from repeated dismissal and gaslighting by healthcare providers

  • Decreased quality of life when effective interventions exist

Current Diagnostic Criteria

It's outdated, but still used, but hopefully in 2026 we will get an update!

The 2017 International Consortium established criteria requiring three key elements:

1. Generalized Joint Hypermobility assessed through the Beighton scale—a simple, equipment-free test

2. Two of Three Additional Features:

  • Multiple signs of a broader connective tissue problem (from a specific list of 12 features)

  • At least one first-degree relative with hEDS

  • Chronic musculoskeletal issues like widespread pain or joint instability

3. Ruling Out Other Conditions, especially vascular EDS and other connective tissue disorders, such as rheumatology and autoimmune conditions - they can co-exist and confuse the symptoms!

Patients who have significant hypermobility and symptoms but don't meet all hEDS criteria receive an HSD diagnosis. Both deserve serious clinical attention and similar management strategies.

The Web of Related Conditions

hEDS and HSD rarely exist in isolation. Patients typically present with interconnected conditions that amplify each other:

#Musculoskeletal Issues
Chronic widespread pain, joints that partially dislocate (subluxations), TMJ dysfunction, and postural problems from poor proprioception—your body's sense of where it is in space.

#Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction
Many patients develop POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), where heart rate spikes inappropriately when standing. This causes dizziness, presyncope, brain fog, and crushing fatigue. It's measurable and physiological—not anxiety.

#Gastrointestinal Complications
Slow gut motility, gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying), severe bloating, and multiple food sensitivities—particularly to gluten and dairy.

#Immune System Overactivity & Histamine Issues
Mast cell disorders, such as Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) often present in patients with hypermobility. They can cause many symptoms, including allergy-like reactions, flushing, hives, and sometimes dangerous anaphylaxis to various triggers. 

#Neurological Manifestations
Chronic migraines, small fiber neuropathy (burning or tingling sensations), and sometimes cervical spine instability with serious neurological symptoms.

#The Critical Point: These conditions interact. Dysautonomia worsens GI symptoms. Poor sleep exacerbates everything. MCAS triggers dysautonomia flares. Treating them in isolation often fails; addressing them together creates synergistic improvement.

Why Rheumatologists Are Key Players

Rheumatologists are uniquely positioned to recognize and coordinate care for hEDS and HSD:

  • We assess joint hypermobility routinely 

  • We differentiate types of joint problems—inflammatory arthritis, autoimmune disease, or mechanical instability from hypermobility - there are many causes of joint pain and often can be present at the same time.

  • We think systemically about complex, multi-organ conditions and find solutions to treat them

  • We rule out conditions that mimic hEDS, like lupus and other autoimmune connective tissue diseases

SCHEDULE YOUR EVALUATION

New patients welcome - no referral required. 

SCHEDULE YOUR EVALUATION